Close up or macro close up

[cheryh]

Hi,
can someone advise what is the difference btw close up and macro close up?
Does nikon D60 have close up/macro close up filter?

[diediealsomustdive]

Many ways of getting close up or macro as long as you are using SLR, in this case DSLR.

Typically one says close up when it is close but not really large magnification. So if you use a typical zoom lens with macro or close up capability it goes to say 1:4 or larger. 1:4 means it is one quarter of the size of the actual item on sensor compare to actual, on full frame (FF). On DX (like D60) it is enlarged by 1.5 times (or 1.5 times 1/4).

Put it another way, a 1 cm object will appear 1/4cm on sensor when doing 1:4 on FF.

Macro (or Nikon calls it Micro) is beyond that. Macro lenses go to 1:2 or 1:1. At 1:1 on FF 1 cm object will measure 1 cm image on sensor, or 1.5 cm on DX sensor.

Ways to get close (prices for relative comparison, have not checked lately):
1. Get a close up filter, typically labeled +1, +2, +3, +4. Hoya ones from $15. Try Cathay Photo. Cheap, but suffers drawback of corner fuzziness.
2. Get achromatic close up filters. Essentially the same as #1 but 2-element design improves sharpness. Usual brand has them. Nikon used to have 5T, 6T, Canon still have 350D, 500D. Expensive, like $150.
3. Get extension tube. They push your lens forward to achieve close focus. Drawback - corner will get fuzzy. A set of extension tube will cost about $150 (Kenko).
4. Get teleconverter. Like Kenko 1.4x, 2x, 3x. Minimum focus distance maintained, so the magnification of your lens goes up by the TC multiplier. Drawback - corner fuzziness. Cost about $200 each.
5. Buy micro Nikkors or macro Tamron, Tokina, Sigmas. Price varies. Typicall focal length 60mm, 90mm, 105mm, 150mm, 180mm. Cost from $500+ to several thousand dollars. Best in performance all round, great control.

[Leong23]

Originally Posted by diediealsomustdive Macro (or Nikon calls it Micro) is beyond that. Macro lenses go to 1:2 or 1:1. At 1:1 on FF 1 cm object will measure 1 cm image on sensor, or 1.5 cm on DX sensor.

Correction.

1:1 will apply the same on FF or DX sensor, ie, 1cm object will appear 1cm on both FF or DX sensor.

As DX sensor is 1.5X smaller than FF sensor, so relatively, DX have a 1.5x magnification as compare to FF sensor.

[diediealsomustdive]

Originally Posted by Leong23 Correction. 1:1 will apply the same on FF or DX sensor, ie, 1cm object will appear 1cm on both FF or DX sensor. As DX sensor is 1.5X smaller than FF sensor, so relatively, DX have a 1.5x magnification as compare to FF sensor.

I stand corrected. Thanks.

[saveDqueen]

Lets say i have a choice of 18-105mm and 50mm 1.8 which would be suitable for macro shots with hoya close up filter?
And which should i use? e.g +1/+2/+3/+4?

Forgive my noobness, but advance thanks for any replies!